Changan, the most recent Chinese brand to launch within the UK, expects to sign terms with 60 dealerships by the tip of the yr, with an ultimate goal of 100 locations by 2028.
The manufacturer, which is able to introduce its first automotive in September under the Deepal marque, has a relentless roadmap that can see a full range of electrical, plug-in hybrid and hybrid SUVs available inside two years, sold under three marques: Changan, Deepal and Avatr. Changan will likely be the predominant showroom corporate identity, nonetheless.
“As an overall package we aim to be a beautiful franchise,” said Nic Thomas, Changan UK managing director (pictured above).
“Now we have aligned every part for dealers to retain margins, where demand is bigger than supply – that’s the business case. We aim to be a top partner with a mix of local heroes and national groups.”
Thomas expects to sign terms with 60 dealerships by the tip of the yr with at the very least 45 expected to be fully operational. Inside three years, he wants 100 sites with a maximum of 25 partners.
Roughly 60% will likely be with regional partners, 30% with national groups and 10% with local dealers.
Their commitment is to a 200sq.m showroom space capable of display three cars initially, rising to 5 or 6 next yr. The bulk are expected to be on multi-franchised sites, however the Changan brand should be clear.
“We expect to be a big volume brand by 2027 within the UK and top 10 inside five years – 5% market share,” Thomas said.
To hit that marker would require 100,000 registrations which might see Changan overtake the likes of Hyundai, Peugeot, Renault and Vauxhall (based on their 2024 sales performance)..
Thomas added: “Now we have the back-up, the team, the products and the investment to do that.”
Fleet will likely be a vital a part of the combo with the bias towards full electric and PHEV, but Thomas expects to win sales within the retail market with the best pricing.
“Fleet will account for 40-50% of our sales, and a better proportion of BEV through leasing and salary sacrifice,” he said.
Although the sight of its cars on UK roads will likely be recent, Changan has had an operation within the UK since 2010, when it opened an R&D centre here focused on low carbon vehicles.
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
